Sifting and material directing device for containers



Aug. 15, 1932.. 9, HDGEON 1,922,174

' SIFTING AND MATERIAL DIRECTING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 4,1931 z sheets-sheet 1 Burg/Z07" v higiior ys Au 15, 1933. v, PID'GEON1,922,174

SIFTING AND MATERIAL DIRECTING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 4, 19312 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 15, 1933 PATENT, OFFICE sm'rnvc ANDMATERIAL maacmo DEVICE FOR commas John V. Pldgeon, Minneapolis, Minn.,assignor to Pillsbury Flour Mills Company, Minneapolis, Minn., aCorporation of Minnesota Application November 4, 1931. Serial No.572,943

11 Claims. (01. 209-283) My invention relates to sifting and materialdirecting devicesfor containers which hold powdered or pulverizedmaterial. The invention while well adapted for sifting and directionallydispensing most materials of the classes above specified and whileapplicable with most conventional types of containers such as boxes,packages, cans, tins, etc., has special application and utility for thehousehold type cake flour box or 1 package usually constructed ofcardboard or other fibrous material.

It is an object of my invention to provide a simple, inexpensive andhighly efficient device 15 which may be associated with containers ofthe classes described and which will eiflciently sift the powdered orpulverized material and will in addition dispense the sifted material ina desired direction to prevent scattering and waste of the same.

In its preferred form my invention comprises a trough-like spout ofsector shape which is associated with an apertured portion of thecontainer and which has mounted-therein an emcient, preferably rotarysifting mechanism. The

spout or trough which forms the housing for the sifting mechanism ispreferably hinged or otherwisetelescopically connected with theapertured portion of the box or container, normally lying substantiallyflush with one of the walls or ends and being projectable therefrom foruse.

A further object of my invention is to provide a compact device of theclass described which may be operatively positioned and attached to acontainer by merely inserting it in place in the apertured portion, theparts being so constructed and arranged as tointerlock without danger ofdisplacement or separation under ordinary usage.

Another object is to provide a sifting and material directing device ofthe class described wherein the outer side or front of the spout formsan eflicient closure for the container and also detachably andconveniently carries the operating handle for the sifting mechanism.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fullyset forth in the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer-tosimilar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

i Fig. -1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of my inventionapplied in closed position to a rectangular package or box forcontaining powdered .material such as flour, the operating handle beingconveniently carried by the outer side or bottom of the trough-likespout;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same showing the trough-like spout inopen or projected position with the operating handle applied thereto; 0

Fig. 3 is a section taken longitudinally through the container and mysifting and directing device, said device being in open or operativeposition with the container tilted for sifting and dispensing material;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the device detached from the container lookingat the interior or open end thereof;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing another form of the invention appliedto a rectangular package;

Fig. 6 shows a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. '7 is a rear elevation of the device shown in Figs. 5 and 6detached.

Referring to the drawings, the form of my invention illustrated in Figs.1 to 4 inclusive is associated with a conventional type of cardboard boxB containing flour or other pulverized material. Box B is provided inone of its vertical walls and adjacent its upper end with a rectangulardischarge aperture which accommodates my sector-shaped spout.

My spout, designated as an entirety by the numeral 10 may beconveniently constructed from a single blank of sheet metal, cardboard55 or other suitable material and has an outer wall or front 10a fromwhich extend perpendicularly a pair of spaced sector-shaped sides 10b.The sector-shaped spout is adapted for hinged attachment to theapertured portion of the container, the vertex of the trough-like spoutfulcruming on the horizontal edge of the container defining the lowerend of the aperture. The curved edges of the sector sides are concentricwith the line of fulcrum and preferably work in short verticals1ots.(not shown) formed in the apertured wall of the containercommunicatlngwith the upper end of the aperture and extending coincidentwith the longitudinal edges defining the aperture. By means of saidslots the trough-like spout is guided for inward or outward swingingmovement and a tight joint is formed between the connected parts.

The front 10a of the spout is provided with an' inwardly offsetpreferably integrally formed lip 10d which cooperates with the loweredge of an inverted T-shaped element 11, preferably constructed ofresilient material to form a horizontal' clip which straddles the loweredge of the apertured portion of the container, as clearly ing as stopsto engage the edge of the apertured wall above the upper end of theaperture to limit the outward movement or projection of the spout whenthe same is operatively applied to the container.

An angle plate13, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, is aflixed to the innersurface of the front 10a traversing said front and connecting the sectorsides and an arcuate sieve 14 is suitably aflixed to plates 12 and 13completely traversing the space between the sector sides of the spoutand spaced inwardly some distance from the curved edges 10c.

Mounted transversely within the trough-like spout 10 and pivoted betweenthe sector sides 10b is a rotary agitator 15 of any suitableconstruction. As shown, agitator 15 is formed from a pair of metalplates 15a and 1517 having sym- -metrically arrangedregisteringapertures at opposite side of its axis and secured flush together byinturmng the outer longitudinal edges of the plate 15b upon thecorresponding edges of the plate 15a. The longitudinal central portionsof .plates 15a and 15b are angularly crimped forming a socket of squarecross section which extends axially of the agitator and as shown theends of said socket are journaled in bearing 10c formed on the interiorfaces of sides 10b. Said bearings may be conveniently formed by aperdle,as shown in the form of-a crank 16 may be non-rotatively connected withthe agitator at,

either side of the device, said handle having a squared engagement end16a for connection with the square socket. A suitable groove 10] isformed in the front 10a of the trough-like spout for receiving theoperating handle or crank 16 and the medial portion of this groove isnormally covered by the free end of the spring retaining finger 1111,said finger detachably holding the crank handle in groove 10 disposedsubstantially flush with the outer surface of the front 10a.- Groove 10fmay be provided with widened diagonal portions disposed adjacent itsmiddle to assistin the insertion of the operating handle within itsgroove or seat.

' It will be noted that the axis of agitator 15 is so disposed withreference to the rear end of the spout, and the radius of the agitatoris such, that the rotary path of movement of the agitator extends withinthe container some dis- 10g adapted to lap the apertured'wall of thecontainer above the aperture when the spout is closed .to limit itsinward swinging movement and so disposed and formed as to permit thenail of the thumb or finger to be inserted under the extensions tofacilitate opening of the spout.

It will be seen that when the spout is closed the discharge aperture ofthe container is sealed against leakage as well as the entrance of dustand moisture and the spout and sifting mechanism with the exception ofthe front wall 10a are housed within the upper portion of the containeror box permitting the container to be packed in close engagement withothers of its kind for storage, shipment or display.

In. use the spout is quickly opened by means of the finger piece, 10;),the sector shaped trough swinging on its vertex at the lower edge 01 theaperture in the container. The outward swinging movement is limited byengagement 0 the stop lugs 12a with the apertured wall and the operatinghandle 16 may then be removed from beneath spring retainer 11a andconnected with l the square socket of the agitator. The package or boxmay then be tipped as shown in Fig. 3 and the material sifted anddispensed by revolving the crank handle. Revolution of the agitator notonly sifts the flour or other powdered material through the screen 14but moreover agitates and loosens the material within the containeradjacent the rear and open end of the spout 10. This function materiallyimproves the feeding and introduction of the powdered material into thespout and prevents packing or clogging of the spout. The material iscleanly and efiiciently sifted and is then dispensed in a desireddirection through the outer end of the trough-shaped spout. -It cannotbe scattered or deflected laterally because of the sector-shaped sides10b. Spilling, waste and misdirection are thus obviated. J 1

It will be apparent that within the scope of my invention the device maybe built into the container by the manufacturer or may be applied as anattachment by the user, it being only necessary to engage the clipafforded by the offset lip 10d and the lower edge of T-shaped element 11with the edge of the container wall defining the lower end of thedischarge aperture and then swing the spout inwardly until the stop lugs12a have passed the upper edge of the wall defining the aperture.

When the device is not'in use operating handle 16 may be detached fromthe agitator and by then inclining the same and guiding it into thegroove 10f it may readily be seated and yieldingly held in place beneathspring finger 11a.

In Figs. 5 to '1 inclusive a modified form of the invention isillustrated which is usually applied as an attachment to a box orcontainer by the user. The device as shown is applied to the top a of abox containing powdered or pulverized ma, terial and it will be apparentthat it is equally applicable to one of the vertical walls of acontainer.

The container or box B may, if .desired, be provided with rectangularscoring or perforations in its top to facilitate the formation of arectangular discharge opening by the user. In this form of the inventionit is preferable to form the discharge aperture so that it is defined bythree of the vertical walls of the container and a ing a doubleddepending flange 20b at its forward end which is associated with a wider(16- I pending lip 20c spaced therefrom a distance slightly less thanthe thickness of the container wall to form a spring attachment clip.Flange 20b and lip 200 may be formed integrally by properly bending theforward end of attachment plate 20. The rear end of attachment plate 20is extended to form an attachment tongue 20d adapted to under-liethe-top wall of the container adjacent the aperture as clearly shown inFig. 6.

Plate 20 is provided with a substantially central discharge aperture anda trough or spout 21 surrounds said aperture extending upwardly fromplate 20 and secured at its lower edges thereto. Spout 21 has a slightlyconcave front or pouring bottom andis provided with a pair ofapproximately sector-shaped parallel sides 21a. A semicylindrical sieve22 is mounted within spout 21 between the sides 21a, said sievecompletely surrounding and traversing the discharge opening in plate 20.An agitator shaft 23a is suitably journaled in the sides 21a of thespout disposed concentrically of the sieve 22 and rigidly carries asuitable agitator 23 of such radius as to lightly scrape the innersurface of the sieve. Agitator shaft 23a has a projecting crank handle23b by which the device may be operated for sifting and directionallydispensing the powdered material.

My modified device is quickly and easily attached to the top of acontainer by telescoping the flanges 20a, and 20b with the upper edgesof the vertical walls which define the discharge aperture of thecontainer. The attachment tongue 2011 is disposed beneath the top wallof they container and cooperates with the spring clip afforded by flange20b and lip 200 to secure the device to the container against separationor displacement.

In operation the package or box is tilted and the crank handle 23b isoperated to sift and dispense the material. form of the invention aswell as in the preferred form the agitator moves through the interior ofthe container as well as cooperates with the sieve thereby loosening thematerial to be sifted and dispensed and assisting in the introduction ofthe material into the spout. The sifted material will be correctlydirected by the sides and front of the spout and scattering and wasteare thus eliminated.

1 From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided animproved, inexpensive and simplified device for efficiently siftingpowdered or pulverized material and in addition for dispensing thesifted material in a desired and predetermined direction. It willfurther be seen that in both forms of my invention the device may bedetachably connected with a container by merely inserting the device inplace in an apertured wall of a container.

. When operatively associated with a container the improved device maybe conveniently manipulated to efficiently sift and dispense thepowdered or pulverized material.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, proportions and arrangement of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention, which, generally stated,consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forthand in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. In combination with a container provided with an apertured wall, adirecting spout telescopically mounted within said apertured portion ofthe container, a sieve traversing said spout and an agitator mountedwithin said spout and It will be noted that in this' movable in closeproximity to said sieve, said spout lying substantially flush againstsaid apertured wall when telescoped to closed position.

2. In combination with a container provided with an apertured wall, atrough-shaped directing spout swingably mounted within the aperturedportion of the container and having a front wall adapted to liesubstantially flush against the apertured wall of said container whensaid spout is closed, a sieve mounted within said spout and traversingthe same, said sieve being of arcuate cross section and a rotaryagitator journaled within said spout on an axis concentric with saidsieve and means extending exteriorly of said spout for operating saidagitator.

3. In combination with,a container provided with an apertured wall, atrough-shaped spout telescopically mounted within the apertured portionof said container, a sieve'mounted within said spout, an agitator whollymounted within said spout and journaled in the sides thereof androtatable in close proximity to said sieve and an operating handleadapted to be non-rotatively conntected with said agitator from withoutsaid spou 4. The structure set forth in claim 3, and said spout having afront provided with a groove for receiving and accommodating saidoperating handle and means for retaining saidhandle in said groove. 1

5. In combination with a package or container provided with an aperturedwall, a trough-shaped -tator movably mounted within said spout forcooperation with said sieve and controllable from without said spout.

6. In combination with a package or container provided with an aperturedwall, a trough-shaped directing spout swingably and telescopicallymounted within the apertured portion of said wall, said spout having afront or bottom and angularly extending sides, said sides having arcuateguiding edges, means for'swingably securing said spout to the marginaledges of said wall defining said aperture, said front being adapted toclose said aperture when said spout. is in retracted position, a sievetraversing the interior of said spout and extending between said sidewalls and a rotary agitator mounted within said spout for cooperationwith said sieve and means having a'handle disposed exteriorly of saidspout by which said agitator may be operated.

7. In combination with a package or container provided with an openingfor the discharge of material, a directing spout telescopically mountedin said container across said opening and having an outer side adaptedto lie substantially flush against said container when said 140 spout isin the retracted position, a sieve traversing the interior of saidspout, and an agitator mounted for cooperation with said sieve.

8. In combination with a package or container provided with an openingfor the discharge of 145 material, a directing spout telescopicallymounted in said container across said opening having an outer sideadapted to cover said opening when said spout is in the retractedposition, a sieve traversing the interior of said spout, and a ro- 150tary agitator mounted for cooperation with said sieve.

9. In a package or container having a flat wall constructed of sheetmaterial, said wall being provided with a discharge opening, atroughshaped directing spout having means for attachment" to themarginal edge of said wall which defines said opening, said meansincluding a lip which underlies at least a portion of said edge, a sievetraversing said spout and an agitator mounted within saidspout andcontrollable from the exterior of said spout and working in closeproximity to said sieve.

10. In a package or container having a flat wall constructed of sheetmaterial, said wall being provided with a discharge opening, atroughshaped directing spout having means for attachment to the marginaledge of said wall which defines said opening, said means including a lipwhich underlies a portion of said edge and cooperating means engagingthe exterior or said edge, a sieve traversing said spout and a rotaryagitator mounted within said spout and working in close proximity tosaid sieve.

11. In combination with a container having a wall provided with anaperture for discharging the contents of the container, 9. directingspout assembly comprising a scoop-shaped device attached at one end tothe container for cooperation with said aperture to form a dischargepassageway, an agitator carried by said scoop-shaped device and disposedwithin said passageway closely adjacent said aperture for operationpartially within said container and partially within said device, and asieve disposed within said device in close cooperative relationship withsaid agitator, said sieve having at least one edge secured to saidscoop-shaped device adjacent the

